How to increase students?

[Tameshigiri]

In ours Area running in GI is a big NO.

Wen students want to go runn I tell them to go with jogging pants and t-shit.

I wnow we are losing a good marketing time but trust me here they will be a TARGET from the gangs to see how many they can shot.

[ksan]

Originally Posted by Tameshigiri

In ours Area running in GI is a big NO.

Wen students want to go runn I tell them to go with jogging pants and t-shit.

I wnow we are losing a good marketing time but trust me here they will be a TARGET from the gangs to see how many they can shot.

Thats a very hard reality you live in... i really hope you get your dojo to run well in that area,.


Osu

[ksan]

Originally Posted by vapor

Just keep in mind whether or not there may be laws against solicitation on private property, that could get you into trouble....

(great idea, just do it smartly!)

vapor

I`ll look thisone up, see how doing so violates the rights of the library/bookstore your in... logically speaking its a big nono to me but it might be a big oppertunity for dojo`s.

Most libraries do have space to put down small flyers/add`s for social activities in the neighbourhood (near the cash registry) or hang a small flyer on the doors. Supermarkets have them hear aswell, community centers, videostores and so on. Best is to also crossmarket.. ask your local martial arts gear supplier if you can hang a flyer up permanently in return you will send all students to buy their stuff (and you your own supplies) in his shop....

[StarKodama]

Thank you SO much for all of the advice! I've passed all of it on to him.

He likes the bookstore idea, as well as the idea of trying to make class as fun as possible. I keep pressuring him to try the running-in-a-gi thing (of course I'll go too!), but he refuses, saying "Japanese people don't do that." :/ I'll keep trying!!

[smoothsake]

Originally Posted by StarKodama

I keep pressuring him to try the running-in-a-gi thing (of course I'll go too!), but he refuses, saying "Japanese people don't do that." :/ I'll keep trying!!

Actually I think only in Japan will you not get the weird stares jogging in a gi. But that's my opinion from the outside looking in. My sensei is big on getting the word out in the community. In a couple weeks we are holding our kid's freshman tournament during a local Japanese-American community summer festival (natsu matsuri). Usually we do a demonstration but this time it will be a full blown knock down tournament. I hope it spurs interest.

[tmd]

Re: The book idea, why not just ask the kinda book stores/ libraries that stock MA books if a) you can have thier permission to do it so you're not breaking any law! Or b) ask if you can put a poster on the door/ window. wall? You'll reach the same audience.

[kyokushin4life]

Great ideas! I also would get some ideas for promoting from this thread.
- how do you promote your dojo?

[Dent]

Osu!

Originally Posted by vapor

Just keep in mind whether or not there may be laws against solicitation on private property, that could get you into trouble....

(great idea, just do it smartly!)

vapor

"'oo, me, Guv'nor? I never did nufink anyway! It's a frame up!"

Osu!

[tmd]

Originally Posted by Dent

Osu!



"'oo, me, Guv'nor? I never did nufink anyway! It's a frame up!"

Osu!

Where did you learn to speak proper inglish like what we do in London?

[mickeberg]

I have been running a dojo for 20 years now and all I can say is hard work and more hard work is the thing. Its allways ups and downs. You can never rest ;O) if you now, but thats what its all about Osu no seishin. Spread the word around and get rid of the competitors.

To be serious there are alot of good tips from everybody here but only 24 hours per day.

[Dent]

Osu!

Originally Posted by tmd

Where did you learn to speak proper inglish like what we do in London?

I was fortunate to live in your city for a while, the majority in the charming borough of Southwark, not far from the Elephant and Castle. What a cast of characters in the area! I know from my last two visits that there have been changes, which is nostalgic for me, but probably less so for the residents.

I will say that between the rhyming slang of the Cockneys and the basic Glaswegian gargle, I wondered if I'd ever learn English! (Note: Less said about places like Wales and Yorkshire the better. I'm sure they must have thought I was simple-minded with some of the blank looks that I was giving.)

Osu!

[Kareyn]

I live in a quirky town so it could be a bit different.....but, since anything goes with me; I did something I shouldn't have and brought many students into my sensei's class. I work at a health club where there is not any karate offered. I was in my pants and getting ready to dash off to class. Sure enough I hadn't brought a clean shirt. When I walked from the exercise room to my car I must have been asked 90 times where I take karate. Lots of people have signed up. Images are powerful advertising tools. Use them.

[Bloke]

Originally Posted by Dent

Osu!



I was fortunate to live in your city for a while, the majority in the charming borough of Southwark, not far from the Elephant and Castle. What a cast of characters in the area! I know from my last two visits that there have been changes, which is nostalgic for me, but probably less so for the residents.

I will say that between the rhyming slang of the Cockneys and the basic Glaswegian gargle, I wondered if I'd ever learn English! (Note: Less said about places like Wales and Yorkshire the better. I'm sure they must have thought I was simple-minded with some of the blank looks that I was giving.)

Osu!

You Tube

Enough said

[Dent]

Osu!

Excellent, Bloke! Now if only I had Babelfish for YouTube...

Osu!

[meguro]

Originally Posted by StarKodama

Thank you SO much for all of the advice! I've passed all of it on to him.

He likes the bookstore idea, as well as the idea of trying to make class as fun as possible. I keep pressuring him to try the running-in-a-gi thing (of course I'll go too!), but he refuses, saying "Japanese people don't do that." :/ I'll keep trying!!

All the more reason to get T-Shirts and track suits with dojo name, Kyokushin kanku, and contact information emblazoned on the back and front. Wear the T-shirts and track suits everytime you're not in a dogi-shopping, jogging, doing good deeds, etc.

[Dent]

Osu!

Originally Posted by meguro

All the more reason to get T-Shirts and track suits with dojo name, Kyokushin kanku, and contact information emblazoned on the back and front. Wear the T-shirts and track suits everytime you're not in a dogi-shopping, jogging, doing good deeds, etc.

No joke, Meguro's advice is stellar. Nothing like seeing your gear crop up everywhere as mobile advertising. (2 things here. 1) Our area is full of one particular MA organization's members, all with stickers, shirts, tops etc. The Karate offered would make most of our K4L members here alternate between laughing and crying, but I can't argue with their marketing. The chief instructor makes over a million a year from his group, and I've yet to see him teach. 2) Don't price your stuff so high that people can't afford it. If that happens, you won't get to advertise, and that's at least 50% of the reason for the gear.)

I don't see any mention of a website in your earlier posts, and I do recommend that you construct one too.

Osu!

[hasbeen]

try all the girls colleges, sports clubs etc;etc...offer free tuition up until 1st grading.......where you get girls, you get boys.

[Dent]

Osu!

Originally Posted by hasbeen

try all the girls colleges, sports clubs etc;etc...offer free tuition up until 1st grading.......where you get girls, you get boys.

Ah..... Yes..... Yes, it is one way of doing things. I know some Dojo have incentive programs for young women, including free self defence training and free t-shirts. Part of me thinks it's a bit unfair, but there is an argument that this is a good way to provide them with a welcoming environment in which they can learn valuable skills.

Osu!